Securing PCI / Graphics in De-cased PC

[UFO]

Hi All,

I've decided to de-case my PC, and although there are plenty of threads about this, the lack of images (that have been removed / deleted / no longer there) makes some of the descriptions hard to follow.

Does anyone have any old build pictures of how they secured PCI / AGP cards to the mobo so they don't just flap about in the wind?

Thanks chaps
EssJay

[jk40001]

I will have to solve that for my very first build cab soon too. I was thinking to simply buy one of those PCI ribbon extension cables:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/PCI-Express-PCI-E-16X-Riser-Card-Flex-Flexible-Ribbon-Extender-Extension-Cable-/400504001453?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5d3fe613ad

and put it on jamma feets:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/25ea-PCB-feet-mounting-holder-JAMMA-Arcade-Cherry-Master-60-in1-multicade-game-/221260573791?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3384286c5f

just like the motheboard to keep things organised and neat. Any thoughts about this idea?

 

[MastarArcade]

Keep in mind that adding that ribbon cable like that to a PCIe bus will likely introduce significant degradation in signal quality and the PCIe card may only run at Gen 1 data rates (2.5GT/s).

You may be able to squeak Gen 2 (5.0GT/s) out of it, but certainly don't hold your breath for Gen 3 (8.0GT/s)

I too have been wondering what my best option would be for an "open" PC design. I'm thinking that the following "Bench case" might work out nicely (and it does seem to have some retention rods for PCIe cards), but is a few more bucks.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811353001

[UFO]

@jk - I had thought about that too, but then I would be faced with a graphics / sound / whatever card that needs securing again somehow. The PCI cards are obviously not build to be outside a case, the only other thing I can think of doing in some kind of brace. I'll try and mock one up and add it later.

@MasterArcade - I will have to take your word for that my friend! Looks like you know a little more than me about transfer rated etc., although I do appreciate the dropoff you mentioned in signal quality. I'd looked into the bench too, but I don't know if this will enable things to be secure as it is just a testing rig.

Thanks chaps -- any more thoughts?

[Nephasth]

Cannibalize a case.

[UFO]

Thanks for that Nephasth,

If you don't mind, I will add another couple of images from your build to this thread from the YouTube video, as I think they may help too...

Great build BTW... 

[Nephasth]

You're welcome, and thank you!

[MastarArcade]

You'll most likely need to drill out a few rivets in your PC case. All you'll really need is a power drill and the right size bit.

[brained]

Cannibalize a case.

Cannibalize, its so death metal!!

[severdhed]

i cut up a bic pen into small pieces and used them to mount the motherboard to a piece of wood, then i bent the bracket on the video card, drilled a hole and mounted it like this:






it worked pretty well and was cheap and easy.

[MastarArcade]

Wow - nice  

..that's creativity for ya!

[Minwah]

I did this recently. It's a weird Dell arrangement so I made use of the 'CPU' fan housing to add a bracket to secure the cards.

(excuse the long bolts...they are all I had and are stainless so I can't cut them down)

[Nephasth]

(excuse the long bolts...they are all I had and are stainless so I can't cut them down)

Um, what?

I cut stainless screws/bolts all the time. Thread a nut on past the point you want to make your cut. Cut do desired length (I use a cutoff wheel, but a hack saw works too). Unthread the nut, and your threads are saved.

[jdbailey1206]

(excuse the long bolts...they are all I had and are stainless so I can't cut them down)

Um, what?

I cut stainless screws/bolts all the time. Thread a nut on past the point you want to make your cut. Cut do desired length (I use a cutoff wheel, but a hack saw works too). Unthread the nut, and your threads are saved.

+1.  If you don't like moving saws next to your assembled PC just buy a good set of Klein cutters from Home Depot.  They are a little more expensive but they are my go to for cutting anything without dulling or getting the bolt to put a nick in your cutters. 

[eds1275]

I just used some 14 gauge wire I had laying around from wiring up some outlets, and supported the far side.

[charlieram]

You could just do what i did and get some of the brass standoffs and screw/glue them into your cab for the motherboard and a good old bit of meccano to secure the top of the Gfx card

[Minwah]

I cut stainless screws/bolts all the time. Thread a nut on past the point you want to make your cut. Cut do desired length (I use a cutoff wheel, but a hack saw works too).

Ok thanks, I thought a saw (I only have a junior hacksaw) would have a hard time cutting stainless steel - I will give it a try.

[TopJimmyCooks]

i've seen hot glue used as well- right at the corner of the board and the socket. 

[UFO]

I love all these ideas, and the creative thought process that went into them!

Plenty to think about here - cheers guys...

 

[rockyrocket]

i've seen hot glue used as well- right at the corner of the board and the socket.

+1 Hot glue works wonders.

[UFO]

Ok... here was my solution with the inspiration from Severdhed...

I had loads of those mb risers lying around, so decided to put them to good use...

I also used them for the motherboard and hard drive incase it needed swapping in future... its all good and secure!

[MastarArcade]

One more alternative that I stumbled upon during my searches...

http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=130_210_750_753

Lian Li (PC Case manufacturer) makes some replacement ATX trays, which have the PCIe card retention mechanisms.

Looks like both standard ATX and Micro ATX trays are available for $30-$40. So if you're looking for an easy way out, this may be it.

[UFO]

One more alternative that I stumbled upon during my searches...

http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=130_210_750_753

Lian Li (PC Case manufacturer) makes some replacement ATX trays, which have the PCIe card retention mechanisms.

Looks like both standard ATX and Micro ATX trays are available for $30-$40. So if you're looking for an easy way out, this may be it.

Thanks MA...

[DeLuSioNal29]

Credit goes to CoreyBee on this one:

"http://www.ebay.com/itm/PCI-Express-PCI-E-16X-Riser-Card-Flex-Flexible-Ribbon-Extender-Extension-Cable-/400504001453?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5d3fe613ad



Then mount the card flat onto the side of the cabinet or something with screws through the holes in the PCB"

DeLuSioNaL29

[Fursphere]

Credit goes to CoreyBee on this one:

"http://www.ebay.com/itm/PCI-Express-PCI-E-16X-Riser-Card-Flex-Flexible-Ribbon-Extender-Extension-Cable-/400504001453?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5d3fe613ad



Then mount the card flat onto the side of the cabinet or something with screws through the holes in the PCB"

DeLuSioNaL29

In another thread somewhere - the comment was made that these cables will not handle the bus speeds of today's high end video cards.

I have no idea if that comment was accurate or not.  I've never tried it.

[CoryBee]

Someone better tell Quiz_Kid cause he is using one with a pretty nice video card....

[CoryBee]

Oh I forgot to mention, no....no it does not effect the performance of your video card. It would if it was much, much longer.

But if you want you can test it for yourself using benchmarking software. With and without the riser to see if there are any changes.

[Fursphere]

In that picture the ribbon cable isn't plugged in...

Thanks for the info.

[CoryBee]

In that picture the ribbon cable isn't plugged in...

Thanks for the info.

I noticed that too, but it looks like he has a slot cut out for it so all is well.